What You Need To Know About Vaccine Booster Distribution, Wash. D.C. Region, Pfizer, Moderna, J&J

- NPR, Sept. 29, 2021. - Ed. ~ Pfizer, Moderna and J&J Booster Process.

Booster shots of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are now available across the region for certain groups, and will likely be doled out in a process that's free from the supply hiccups the region saw during the initial vaccine phases. Contrary to President Joe Biden's earlier directive this summer, not every resident who received a two-dose vaccine can get a third right now. After several weeks of confusing messaging on the federal level, local health departments are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent recommendation on boosters. Here's what you need to know.

- Who is eligible? Per CDC director Rochelle Walensky, there are groups that should receive a Pfizer booster and groups who may receive a booster. People who should seek a third dose are those over the age of 65, any individual living in a long-term care facility, and those aged 50-65 with underlying health conditions. Other groups that may receive a booster include anyone aged 18-49 with an underlying medical condition, and people aged 18-64 whose job places them at high risk of contracting COVID-19. This includes people like health care workers, teachers, and grocery store workers, according to Walensky.

As DC Health pointed out in an explainer last week regarding boosters, "should" is a stronger recommendation from the CDC. Adults 18-49 with underlying health conditions or those who work in high-risk settings are at a higher risk of contracting and falling seriously ill with COVID-19, but the risk is even higher for those who are over 50 with underlying health conditions, those 65 and older, or those living in nursing homes. Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. will defer to the CDC's list of underlying health conditions, which can be found here. Essentially, it refers to the same underlying health conditions that were prioritized in the first round of vaccinations earlier this year.

Because only Pfizer- not Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson- is authorized to administer boosters, only eligible individuals who received two doses of a Pfizer vaccine can get a third.

- What about immunocompromised people? In August, the CDC recommended third shots of either Moderna or Pfizer for individuals with compromised systems, shortly after the Food and Drug Administration amended both Moderna's and Pfizer's emergency use authorizations to allow for an additional dose. The CDC has a list of conditions that fall under what is considered "moderate to severely immunocompromised," but recommends that individuals consult their doctor before getting a third dose. Because first or second doses may not have sparked an immune response, a third shot of Pfizer or Moderna for an immunocompromised person is considered a supplemental dose, not a booster.

- When can you get it, if you're eligible? The groups eligible for a booster can get one if they received a second Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago, but most local health departments are telling residents that it's perfectly fine to wait a bit after that 6-month mark.. Do you have to prove that you're a part of one of the eligible groups? No...

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https://www.npr.org/local/305/2021/09/29/1041485717/what-you-need-to-know-about-vaccine-booster-distribution-in-the-washington-region